In this episode, I share my tips for not just surviving, but thriving during the holiday stretch as an Autism parent. I help you understand why this time of year is so challenging for our kids, and what you can do to prepare yourself and your child for the ups and downs of the season. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/144
Tune in this week to learn what gratitude masking is and how to stop doing it. You’ll learn exactly where gratitude masking is making your life harder as the parent of a child with Autism, and I share practical tips to help you stop weaponizing gratitude against yourself. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/143
Hear my personal experience of navigating outings with my son, and how social stories became a game-changer in preparing him for new experiences with confidence. Learn what social stories are, why they can be incredibly effective, and how they help children understand what to expect in specific situations. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/142
Tune in this week as I talk about how to handle those moments when it feels like you're the center of attention as an Autism parent and everyone is watching. I share strategies for staying calm, focusing on your child, and even educating others in the process. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/141
Tune in this week as I share a powerful personal story illustrating the importance of staying in your own lane, both literally and figuratively. Learn practical strategies for swerving back into your own lane and supporting your child's emotional growth in the process. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/140
Learn the top three mistakes parents make during meltdowns and simple antidotes that will help you respond intentionally, and how, by avoiding these pitfalls, you can create a more peaceful and supportive environment for your child. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/139
Hear why Googling Autism is the favorite pastime of all Autism parents and my thoughts on why you should stop. You’ll learn how it often undermines your sense of confidence and control. I offer questions that will help you gain awareness of why you’re doing it, how it’s impacting you, and how you can make more mindful decisions about how much and what type of information you consume. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/138...
Learn how to rewire your brain, reduce your anxiety, and show up as a calmer, more effective parent. In this replay of one of my early podcast episodes, I dive deep into the cognitive distortion of catastrophizing. I explain what it is, why we do it, and why we mistakenly believe it's useful. Most importantly, I share practical strategies to interrupt the catastrophizing loop when you find yourself in it. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/1...
How often do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, only to end up feeling worse than before? As Autism moms, we turn to social media for support, connection, and resources. But if we're not careful, it can quickly become a source of stress, comparison, and negativity. Listen in this week to hear the toll scrolling on social media can have on your experience as an Autism parent, and how our brains are wired to compare ourselves to others. You’ll hear practical strategies th...
While we may not be able to eliminate stress completely, there are sneaky habits that many of us have fallen into that unnecessarily add fuel to the fire. By bringing awareness to these patterns and making small shifts, you can lighten your mental load and find more ease in your daily life. Tune in this week to learn how to identify where your stress is coming from, some simple strategies to reduce stress, and find out how to get involved with Stress Less Octoberfest. Get full show notes, transc...
Learn practical strategies you can implement right away to respond to meltdowns with more compassion and confidence. From morning routine struggles to self-injurious behaviors, I cover a range of meltdown situations that many Autism families face and what you can do to effectively support your child. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/134
Discover practical strategies to either avoid, interrupt, or shorten the duration and intensity of your meltdown hangovers. Learn how to show up as the best version of yourself for your child, and I give you actionable advice to help you break free from the grip of meltdown hangovers and find a sense of calm and resilience. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/133
Uncover the common signs of meltdown hangovers, understand how long you can expect them to last, and get questions you can ask yourself to identify your specific symptoms. Stay tuned for part two next week, where you’ll learn actionable steps to reduce the intensity and duration of meltdown hangovers. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/132
I walk you through how to create your own Response Barometer with specific strategies for dealing with each level of your child’s Behavior Barometer. Learn how to make effective decisions ahead of time, allowing you to respond to your child in a way that serves both of you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/131
Learn how to create your own customized Behavior Barometer. I’ll walk you through why this tool is so powerful for building your confidence as an Autism parent. With a Behavior Barometer, you'll gain perspective on which situations are truly significant and be equipped with an objective framework to guide your response, even when you feel triggered. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/130
If you're walking on eggshells around your child and it doesn't feel like it's helping, tune in this week to discover what to do instead. I explain the cause and impact of walking on eggshells around your child, framed through the CBT model, and show you how to take back control next time you find yourself in this situation. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/129
Discover why your child's meltdowns are informative and how to learn from these meltdowns instead of fearing them. I show you how to get curious instead of emotional when things get hard, and you'll learn a powerful step-by-step process for showing up with objectivity when your child is melting down. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/128
Tune in this week to discover my burnout buster for Autism moms. I show you how all the visible and invisible labor of being an Autism parent leads to burnout, share the value of saying no strategically, and break down a simple technique you can try to help you say no when it serves your well-being the most. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/127
In this episode, we take a look at what's actually happening in your brain when anxiety takes over. I break down the different parts of the brain involved and how they interact to keep you stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Once you understand the science behind it, anxiety becomes a lot less scary and mysterious. Learn my 4 C's method for challenging anxious thoughts in the moment and choosing a different response. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/126...
Learn a biological hack for immediately creating calm in your body when you’re stressed. I share how the Autism Mom Ice Water Challenge works and my top tips for implementing this technique in your everyday life. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/125
Rob Gorski is a solo parent of three sons with Autism, each with unique characteristics. He lives in Ohio and runs a popular blog and hosts an impactful podcast called The Autism Dad, where he shares his experiences and offers support to other parents raising children with Autism and other disabilities. Learn a fresh perspective on Autism parenting from The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/124...
We believe more is better, and that if we do more, our child with Autism will be ‘okay’ or won’t struggle as much. I debunk the myth that more intervention is better and explore the dangers of the 1987 Lovaas study. I’m showing you why higher amounts of therapy may not be helpful to your child, how your well-being matters more to your child than speech or behavioral intervention, and the importance of trusting your instincts and expertise. Get full show notes and more information here: https://t...
Discover why emotions are contagious and what you can do with this information. I discuss the science and statistics behind emotional contagion in children with Autism and their parents. Learn how to create a more stable environment for your child when they're melting down. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/122
Discover why your child's behaviors, regardless of whether you like them or not, are neutral. I share how remaining neutral about your child's behaviors helps you to stay calm as you navigate the challenges of Autism parenting, and you'll learn how to stop looking at your child's behaviors as either good or bad, so you can avoid the anger and frustration that accompanies challenging behaviors. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/121...
I'm giving a voice and a name to the experience that Autism moms everywhere have of missing out on parenting experiences we expected and the childhood we imagined for our kids. This is what I'm calling GOMO, the grief of missing out. Discover how to start acknowledging the grief of missing out and learn how to not get stuck there when this grief strikes. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/120
I'm sharing two of the most valuable lessons I've brought you in the history of this podcast: that worrying is optional, and how to stop worrying. Tune in this week to discover why we worry and how to stop. Discover why worry is always optional, how worrying is impacting your life in more ways than you currently realize, and you'll learn how to get control over your worrying brain so you can show up in the way you and your child really need you to. Get full show notes and more information here: ...
If you feel like there's something off about the oxygen mask analogy, tune in this week to discover why you're totally correct. I discuss why the oxygen mask fallacy doesn't offer us any comfort as Autism parents, and you'll learn what to do next time somebody tells you to put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help your child with Autism. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/118
Learn my top tips for planning a summer that brings both you and your child joy. I’m sharing how fear and guilt might be showing up in your parenting, how to actually relax and enjoy your summer, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your child to make the most of the summer. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/117
Discover what picking your battles looks like as an Autism parent. I discuss the challenges of having and enforcing boundaries, why your child will always resist the boundaries you try to put in place, and you'll learn how to follow through with your boundaries when you want to, and when to pick your battles if you feel like you need to. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/116
Tune in this week to discover why boundaries are not mean. I discuss how boundaries protect you as an Autism parent and allow you to show up as your best self, and you'll learn how to uphold boundaries that protect your well-being, even during the most challenging times. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/115
